First Turn

The Fantasy Flight brain behind Star Wars: Rebellion reflects on his first lead designer credit: 2007’s epic adaptation of Blizzard PC game StarCraft

COREY KONIECZKA

Interview by Dan Jolin

BACKGROUND

“As far back as I can remember, I made silly little board games with my brothers, based on whatever we were playing at the time. But the first serious amateur game I worked on was shortly after Magic came out, when some friends and I worked together to make our own quote-unquote ‘CCG’, drawing on index cards. Once I’d turned my hobby into a job at Fantasy Flight Games in 2005, my first few years were a learning process. The most useful experience was working on the new edition of Warrior Knights. My boss Christian T. Petersen was so impressed he said, ‘Hey would you like to take a crack at designing a StarCraft game?’ I said, ‘Sure. Really!?’ I loved StarCraft, so I was very excited.”

About Tabletop Gaming

Tabletop Gaming April is the best place to find out about Godtear, the seriously ambitious legacy miniatures game from the creators of Guild Ball and Dark Souls: The Board Game. In our exclusive interview, lead developer Alex Hall tells us what he has planned for the massive project and why it promises to be the studio’s best game yet.
Speaking of massive, roleplaying phenomenon Critical Role is back with a second season, with millions tuning in online to follow the hilarious and dramatic exploits of its all-star cast of characters as they run a Dungeons & Dragons campaign like no other. Matthew Mercer and Liam O’Brien tell us how the most popular show in roleplaying started with a friendly one-shot at a birthday party and what they have in store for the brand new season.
Superheroes are everywhere today, but few can match up to Hellboy, the demonic investigator of the paranormal. As the hero for our times heads to the tabletop in a new co-op game, designer James M. Hewitt chats about his unique take on a legendary comic-book idol.
How many games are in your collection? We’re willing to bet even the greatest shelf pales in comparison to the avid board game collectors in our latest issue, who reveal their hoards of thousands of games and discuss why amassing games can be just as rewarding as playing them. That’s not to mention our chat with the true Monopoly Man, who holds the record for owning the most copies of the classic board game, from One Direction to McDonald's!
Our reviews section is as fully-stocked as ever with the latest and greatest verdicts on this month’s releases. Leading the way are our thoughts on the unmissable Star Wars: Legion and Rising Sun, followed closely by Stuffed Fables, GKR: Heavy Hitters, Palace of Mad King Ludwig, Civilisation, Meeple Circus, DreadBall: Second Edition, A Handful of Stars and many, many more. There’s no better place to find out what should be on your tabletop next.
That’s just the start – dive in!